The Kremlin on Tuesday embraced comments from FIFA president Gianni Infantino suggesting the suspension of Russian teams from international football should be reconsidered, a statement that ignited sharp condemnation from Kyiv amid the ongoing war.
A provocative call from football’s top table
Infantino, who has previously maintained cordial ties with Russian leadership, told Britain’s Sky News that the ban imposed after Russia’s February 2022 invasion of Ukraine had “not achieved anything” and risked fuelling “frustration and hatred.” He argued that allowing Russian boys and girls to play in Europe could be a step toward normalising sporting ties.
Kremlin reaction
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov welcomed the remarks, saying it was “high time to think about this.” He urged that Russian footballers and the national team should have their rights “fully restored” and expressed hope that FIFA would open discussions on the matter.
Kyiv’s fierce rebuttal
Ukraine’s response was immediate and furious. Sports minister Matviy Bidnyi labelled Infantino’s comments “irresponsible” and “infantile,” reminding audiences that the conflict has cost the lives of hundreds of Ukrainian athletes and coaches. Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga underscored the human toll, saying dozens of young Ukrainians “will never be able to play football” because of the war, and condemned calls to lift bans while hostilities continue.
The wider context
Since the February 2022 offensive, Russia has been largely excluded from international sport. The debate over whether to reintegrate Russian competitors has intensified as a handful of athletes in other disciplines have recently been permitted to compete under neutral flags, a compromise that has itself provoked controversy.
What’s at stake
Infantino’s remarks have reopened a fraught conversation at the intersection of sport, diplomacy and morality: whether the global game should be a bridge for engagement or a platform for sanction. With passions high on both sides, FIFA now faces pressure to weigh sporting inclusion against the political and human realities of a conflict that continues to scar Ukraine.
